,,Ergothioneine (EGT) for Antioxidant Support
What’s Ergothioneine (EGT)?
Ergothioneine (EGT, CAS No. 497-30-3) is a natural compound first identified by French scientists in 1909, isolated from the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea. Here are its key characteristics and core values:
1. Basic Chemical Properties
Molecular formula: C₉H₁₅N₃O₂S
Molecular weight: 229.3
Physical form: Pure ergothioneine appears as white crystals.
Solubility & stability: Highly soluble in water, it remains stable (no autoxidation) under physiological pH conditions or in strong alkaline solutions.
Isomeric forms: Exists in two configurations—thiol and thione.
2. Biological Features & Core Advantages
Ergothioneine is a safe, non-toxic natural antioxidant with a unique trait: the human body cannot synthesize it endogenously, so it must be obtained through dietary sources.
A critical breakthrough came in 2005, when the OCTN1 transporter was discovered to be responsible for ergothioneine’s accumulation in key organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain. Further validating its importance, Nature named it a longevity-associated biomarker in 2020.
Its broad appeal stems from multiple vital physiological functions:
✅ Free radical scavenging✅ Detoxification support✅ Maintenance of DNA synthesis✅ Regulation of cellular immunity✅ Preservation of normal cell growth
Thanks to its high safety profile and proven efficacy, ergothioneine has become a top research focus in the antioxidant field.
3. Wide-Ranging Applications
It is now widely utilized across three major industries:
Food industry
Cosmetics industry
Pharmaceutical industry
APPLICAATIONS
Owing to its remarkable and unique biological functions, ergothioneine boasts extensive applications and broad market prospects. The application includs pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, functional foods, animal feed, cosmetics, and biotechnology.
As a Unique Antioxidant
Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring, non-toxic antioxidant with high cellular protective properties. It is not easily oxidized in water, enabling it to reach millimolar (mmol) concentrations in certain tissues and activate the cell’s intrinsic antioxidant defense system. What makes ergothioneine particularly distinctive among numerous antioxidants is its ability to chelate heavy metal ions and protect red blood cells in the body from free radical-induced damage.
As a Skin Protectant in Cosmetics
UVA rays in sunlight can penetrate the dermis layer of human skin, interfering with the growth of epidermal cells, accelerating the aging of surface cells, and causing premature skin aging. Meanwhile, UVB rays are more likely to induce skin cancer. Ergothioneine can minimize the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to the greatest extent and protect cells against radiation damage. Therefore, it can be added to cosmetics as a skin protectant for the development of outdoor skincare products and protective cosmetics.
Applications in Ophthalmology
Studies have shown that ergothioneine plays a crucial role in eye protection, prompting many researchers to explore the development of ophthalmic products to advance ophthalmic surgical treatments. Ophthalmic surgeries are generally performed locally, and the water solubility and stability of ergothioneine provide feasibility for such procedures, endowing it with significant application value.
Other Applications
Benefiting from its excellent properties, ergothioneine can be applied in various fields, such as pharmaceuticals, food, health products, and cosmetics. In the pharmaceutical industry, it can be used for treating inflammation and other conditions, formulated into tablets, capsules, oral preparations, etc. In the health product sector, it can help prevent cancer and be developed into functional foods, functional beverages, and related products. In cosmetics, it can be utilized for anti-aging purposes and incorporated into sunscreens, among other products.
